Legal Definitions - soft law

Definition: Soft law refers to rules or guidelines that are not strictly binding but still hold some legal significance. In international law, soft law can take the form of policy declarations, codes of conduct, or guidelines that set standards of conduct but are not legally enforceable.

• UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: This is an example of soft law in international law. The declaration sets out guidelines for the treatment of indigenous peoples but is not legally binding.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guidelines: Many companies have adopted CSR guidelines that set out their commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. While these guidelines are not legally enforceable, they can still have an impact on a company's reputation and relationships with stakeholders.

These examples illustrate the concept of soft law because they are not legally binding but still have some legal significance. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples sets out important guidelines for the treatment of indigenous peoples, while CSR guidelines can influence a company's behavior and reputation.